Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein said during his trial in a Baghdad court on Monday that he was "not afraid of being executed" if convicted.

"I'm not afraid of being executed," said Saddam, dismissing the lengthy testimony by Ahmed Hassan Mohammed al-Dujaili, 38, who was the first witness to testify for charges against Saddam and his seven-aides on the killing of 148 Shiite Muslims in Dujail village in 1982 after an attempt on Saddam's life near the village.

In addition, Saddam cast doubt on the mental condition of Dujaili, urging for an independent medical examination of Dujaili.

The toppled former Iraqi leader also said the court was under immense pressure and that he was not defending himself but the Iraqi people in the court.

He also called upon Iraqis to "use the swords against the enemy army."

During his defense statement, Saddam also asked chief judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin, a Kurd, not to interrupt him and allow more time for his argument.

The trial of Saddam and his seven co-defendents resumed on Monday after two earlier adjournments on Oct. 19 and Nov. 28 respectively.

Earlier, the court proceeding was disrupted by a walkout by Saddam's defense team in protest against the judges' ruling that prohibited them from addressing the bench.

The defense lawyers returned to the court only after the judges reversed the ruling and granted them right to voice out their impugnment of the court's legitimacy and worries about their safety.

Saddam and his aides face grave charges including mass murder and acts against humanity. If convicted, they might be condemned to death penalty.

The accused have all pleaded not guilty.

Source: Xinhua